Airbag Solutions

What's in the Black Box...and What's to Come?

Douglas Gan — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:52:21 GMT

The airbag diagnostic module (or control unit) does a lot more than monitor your safety restraint system. This electronic component has evolved from a series of inertia switches and triggers to an Event Data Recorder (EDR), similar to those found in airplanes. This unit, first of all, isn’t black. Second of all, this unit is fast becoming one of the most important pieces of equipment in a car today. With the ability to record events and circumstances, manufacturers, lawyers and governments are all vying for both control and accessibility to these units.
Although Diagnostic Control Units have been in vehicles since 1976, they have only been recording data since 1994. The amount of data they collect is currently determined by each manufacturer. EDRs record between 5 and 20 seconds of data both prior to and subsequent to a crash event. The information they collect includes data such as vehicle speed, throttle position, brake switch position, gas pedal position, tire pressure warning lamp mode, ignition switch logic, transmission selector position, service engine lamp mode, outside temperature, door status (all 4), cruise control mode, engine speed, antilock brake system mode, steering angle and yaw rate (if equipped). All of this information is used by law enforcement, accident recreation professionals, lawyers and engineers, each for their own purposes.

The most recent controversy has been the Toyota worldwide recall for “sudden acceleration”. Toyota is one of the companies that, in the past, has not allowed software to access their ACUs (Airbag Control Units). A recent article released by AP (Associated Press) indicated that there was only one laptop in the entire US that was capable of reading Toyota event data. The article indicated that the data belonged to Toyota and that Toyota either refused to provide key information, settled pending lawsuits or provided printouts with the key columns blank when forced to provide access or event data. Subsequent to the media frenzy over the sudden acceleration incidents and recall, Toyota issued a press release addressing these concerns and provided both NHTSA as well as Transport Canada. Over 150 laptops capable of reading these vehicles have been released to other authorities.

But it’s not just Toyota that has issues with the ‘black box”. Ford has a unique issue discovered during the capture of data during an investigation. Some 2005 and later Ford vehicles have an additional event data recorder in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). If airbags or seat belt pretensioners deployed, these vehicles are designed to store vehicle speed, brake on/off, ABS on/off, accelerator pedal position, and other parameters for 20 seconds before the crash and 5 seconds after the crash at 0.2 seconds intervals. But the problem Ford is experiencing is related to the data locking signal which is supposed to set after a crash with an airbag deployment. Electrical shorts caused by a crash or complete power loss in the vehicle can prevent this signal from being sent. As these recorders are designed to ‘continuously overwrite themselves’ the crash data may be lost if the key is not shut off within 25 seconds of a crash event.

There are documented instances where there was a severe crash, vehicle power was lost, but a well meaning investigator restored power to check other functions in the vehicle. In doing so, they unintentionally overwrote the event data and spoiled the only evidence available detailing the crash event timing and data.

Currently, the following manufacturers have event data recorders in the ACUs (this list may already be incomplete at of the time of this publishing).

Dodge
Chrysler
Jeep
Ford
Lincoln
Mercury

Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Geo
Oldsmobile
Pontiac

Saturn
GMC
Hummer
Saab
Holden
Sterling
Mitsubishi

Isuzu
Suzuki
Toyota
Lexus
Scion

What the Future Holds

New legislation by the US government has mandated that all vehicles produced by 2012 must include an event data recorder. As most of us do not actually read the laws pending in our government, here is some of the legislation that they have voted on and passed.

The Secretary shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding requiring that the event data recorders required to be installed in passenger vehicles…-
(1) be temperature, water, crash, and tamper resistant; and
(2) continuously record vehicle operational data that can be accessed for retrieval and analysis

Specifications- The rule--
(1) shall require such recorders to record, for a reasonable time before, during, and after a crash or airbag deployment, information that includes engine performance, steering, braking, acceleration, vehicle speed, seat belt use, and airbag deployment level, deactivation status, deployment time, and deployment stage, and may require such recorders to record other data, such as data related to vehicle rollovers, as the Secretary considers appropriate;
(2) shall require such recorders to record data for at least 60 seconds prior to, and 15 seconds after, a crash or airbag deployment;
(3) may require such recorders to capture certain events such as rapid deceleration, full-throttle acceleration lasting more than 15 seconds, and full braking lasting more than 10 seconds, even if there is not a crash or airbag deployment;
(4) may not require information recorded or transmitted by such data recorders to include the vehicle’s location;
(5) shall require that data stored on such recorders be accessible, regardless of vehicle manufacturer or model, with commercially available equipment; and
(6) shall specify data format requirements and other requirements, and shall require an interoperable data access port to facilitate universal accessibility and analysis.

The upside to this is that all of us will have proof positive of the events that led up to and after a crash event. Certain aspects of liability will be determined more easily and driver error will quickly be assessed.
The downside of this is these new units are estimated to cost between two and three times more than the current diagnostic units. This will once again raise the cost of our vehicles substantially, increase insurance costs and increase the rate of total losses from vehicle damages.

Airbag Recalls - December 2009, January 2010, February 2010

Douglas Gan — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:19:55 GMT

Jaguar Land Rover is recalling certain model year 2010 Range Rover vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." These vehicles equipped with occupant classification system (OCS) may experience airbag warning lamp illumination on the instrument cluster. The passenger airbag will be disabled when the airbag warning lamp is illuminated as a result of this defect and the passenger airbag warning disable (PAWD) lamp in the overhead console will also illuminate. Deployment of the passenger airbag may not be achieved in the event of a vehicle crash increasing the risk of injury. Dealer will update the vehicle's restraints control module (RCM) with the integrated diagnostics system (IDS) tool with software from DVD 118.5 patch 16 or later. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on December 21, 2009. Owners may contact Jaguar Land Rover at 1-800-452-4827.

Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 Q5 passenger vehicles manufactured between

November 25, 2008 and June 4, 2009. A left and/or right a-pillar trim cover clip may not have been manufactured correctly, allowing the a-pillar trim to become loose when the sideguard head protection airbags deploy during a crash. If this happens, a loose trim piece could injure the front seat occupants of the vehicle. Volkswagen will inspect the clip in the middle of the left and right a-pillar covers and replace it free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during January 2010. Owners may contact Audi at 1-800-253-2834. VW's campaign number is 70D4/J6.

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2009 Azera vehicles manufactured from September 27, 2005, through October 1, 2008. The wiring harness for the right front seat belt tension sensor may sustain damage after repeated use of the seat belt. If the seat belt tension sensor wiring becomes damaged the air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating front air bag deployment. The seat occupant is at an increased risk of injury should the air bag not deploy as intended. Hyundai will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during February 2010. Owners may contact Hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 094.

Winnebago is recalling certain model year 2010 View and Itasca Navion motor homes for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207, "Seating Systems," and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly." The seats are missing a reinforcing plate. This does not meet the requirements of the standard. Dealers will remove the swivel and install a new design of swivel that does not require a reinforcing plate in order to meet the standard. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during January 2010. Owners may contact Winnebago at 1-800-537-1885.

Honda is recalling certain model year Acura 2010 MDX vehicles manufactured between October 7, 2009 and November 14, 2009. A bolt used to attach an interior trim piece to either the driver's or passenger's side a-pillar may not have been installed during manufacturing. In the event of a crash resulting in side curtain air bag deployment, the trim piece may not remain properly secured to the a-pillar, increasing the risk of injury to the driver and/or front seat passenger. Dealers will inspect the interior trim piece of the A-pillar and if a bolt is missing it will be installed free of charge. Four vehicles were purchased before the stop-sale was issued and all the vehicles have been inspected and repaired if necessary, an owner notification will not be issued for this campaign.

Hyundai de Puerto Rico is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2009 Azera vehicles manufactured from September 27, 2005, through October 1, 2008. The wiring harness for the right front seat belt tension sensor may sustain damage after repeated use of the seat belt. If the seat belt tension sensor wiring becomes damaged the air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating front air bag deployment. The seat occupant is at an increased risk of injury should the air bag not deploy as intended. Hyundai will inspect and replace the right front seat belt and install a new seat belt tension sensor wiring harness clip, if necessary, and reroute the right front seat belt tension sensor wiring and secure the wiring with a new harness. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during February 2010. Owners may contact Hyundai de Puerto Rico 1-787-999-3333.

Honda is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Honda Accord and Civic, model year 2002 CR-V and Odyssey, model year 2002-2003 3.2TL and one vehicle for model year 2003 Honda Pilot, Civic and Acura 3.2CL passenger vehicles. The driver's airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure. If an affected airbag deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. Metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material possibly causing injury or fatality to vehicle occupants. Dealers will replace the airbag inflator free of charge. The safety recall began on February 26, 2010. Owners may contact Honda Automobile Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009.

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2010 Tucson vehicles. Properly seated adult right front seat passengers weighing over approximately 240 pounds cause the passive occupant detection system (PODS) module program to illuminate the "air bag" warning lamp. If "air bag" warning lamp is illuminated, the passenger air bag will deploy if a crash of sufficient force to require front air bag deployment is experienced, and will not be deactivated if a child is seated in the right front seating position, which may increase the risk of injury to a child front passenger. Dealers will reprogram the pods module free of charge. Hyundai anticipates owners will be notified by telephone and/or by mail during March 2010. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-633-5151.

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2004 SAAB 9-3 sedans. Some of these vehicles were produced with front seat belt retractors that, over time, could fail to retract. Using a seat belt that has not retracted, and in the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury. Dealers will replace the driver side retractor free of charge. If the front passenger retractor were to fail to retract, GM will replace the front passenger retractor free of charge under a special coverage that will be released for the same population for 10 years from new vehicle date of sale. The safety recall is expected to begin during March 2010. Owners may contact SAAB at 1-800-620-7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Spartan is recalling certain model year 2003 through 2009 Gladiator fire apparatus chassis cabs

manufactured between February 27, 2003 and November 17, 2009. Certain seat belt anchorages fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages." The seat belt may separate from the cab during a vehicle crash and fail to properly restrain the occupant. This may result in personal injury to the seat occupant. The manufacturer has not yet provided a remedy plan or a notification schedule. Owners may contact Spartan Chassis at 1-800-543-4277 - Option 1.

Airbag Recalls - September / October / November 2009

Douglas Gan — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:21:35 GMT

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2010 Endeavor model vehicles manufactured between May 26 and July 28, 2009. The retainer bracket used for the seatmounted side airbag frames on both the driver and front passenger seats may not have been properly welded. If this condition exists, the front seat-mounted airbags may not deploy correctly in a side impact crash, possibly resulting in injury to the seat occupant. MMNA will notify owners and dealers will inspect the weld condition of the side airbag retainer bracket on the front passenger seats. If the weld is insufficient, the dealer will replace the seatback assembly free of charge. The safety recall began on September 30, 2009. Owners may contact Mitsubishi Customer Relations Department at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's recall campaign number is SR-09-003.

Daimler Trucks is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2009 trucks equipped with Indiana Mills and manufacturing rolltek side-roll protection systems. The sensor designed to detect vehicle roll can malfunction and cause the side airbags to inadvertently deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the sideairbags could result in a vehicle crash or injury to an out of position occupant. Daimler Trucks willinspect to determine if a vehicle contains an affected system and, if so, that system will be replaced freeof charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before November 20, 2009. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks at 1-800-547-0712.

Mitsubishi is recalling model year 2008-2009 Lancer and Lancer Evolution vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and District Of Columbia. In areas where heavy road salt is used in the winter, a long term exposure to a mixture of melted snow with salt thrown up by the other vehicles on the road may cause a water-salt mixture to adhere to the front impact sensors. This coating over time may cause corrosion or the sensor. In the event of a vehicle crash of the type that would deploy the airbags this type of short-circuit may cause a delay in the deployment of the airbags which could result in driver or passenger injury. Dealers will install new front airbag sensors that have improved corrosion resistance. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on November 27, 2009. Owners may contact Mitsubishi Customer Relations Department at 1-888-648-7820.

Chrysler is recalling certain Model Year 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee passenger vehicles manufactured from October 22 through November 12, 2009. The passenger side airbag may not properly deploy through the instrument panel tear seam. The airbag may not properly protect the passenger in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will replace the top cover of the instrument panel free of charge. The campaign is expected to begin in December 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's campaign number is J33.

Volvo is recalling model year 2010 XC60 vehicles. The driver's seat side cover panel (seat control panel) in certain driver's side impacts may release the attachment of the seatbelt to the seat frame. Should this condition occur in a crash the seatbelt may fail to properly restrain the occupant increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will modify the inside of the driver's seat side cover panel free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before December 15, 2009. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

Airbag Myths & Facts

Douglas Gan — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:37:12 GMT

Fact vs. Fiction
Is what you know about airbags true?

Time and time again we come across individuals or shops who have heard something about an airbag or repairing an airbag that is just not exactly right. They read something somewhere, or were told this about that, by someone; most of the time it's only half right. Over time, these are the things that create urban legends and myths, but more importantly can cause improper repairs or unnecessary expense. Having the correct information is critical to both repairing these systems properly and success in your business.

The following brief answers will help to correct many of the misconceptions surrounding these important safety systems.

I need to wear my seat belt in order for the airbag to work.
False.
Although many vehicles combine the seat belt pretensioner deployment with an airbag deployment, the use of the seat belt does not determine whether the airbag will deploy or not. Airbag deployment is determined by a series of sensors in the vehicle that measure deceleration, and impact data during a crash. Airbags are a "supplemental restraint". Airbags are meant to assist the seat belt in protecting the occupants of a vehicle, but will operate independent of them. Every carmaker strongly recommends that seat belts be worn at all times, as they are the primary defense against personal injury during a crash. Many states now require the use of seatbelts..."It's the law!"

The "5 STAR Rating" on my car means I'm safe.
Partially True.

It only means you're 'safer' on a relative scale. The US government has set up a standard of guidelines to measure the effectiveness of safety systems. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducts independent tests on many vehicles produced and rates these vehicles according to these government guidelines. For frontal crash ratings, vehicles are crashed into a fixed barrier at 35 miles per hour. Here are the details of what these stars actually mean:

1 Star = 46% or greater chance of serious injury
2 Stars = 36% to 45% chance of serious injury
3 Stars = 21% to 36% chance of serious injury
4 Stars = 11% to 20% chance of serious injury
5 Stars = 10% or less chance of serious injury

Cars today are required to have side airbags, curtain airbags or both.
False.
Each vehicle manufacturer offers side impact protection according to the design of that vehicle; some as standard equipment and some as options. With all of the recent news about rental car fleet vehicles being sold without side airbags, many people are questioning the integrity and honesty of both the carmakers and the companies selling these cars. As of 2009, side airbags were not required on any vehicle although a high percentage of the vehicles produced that year did have them as standard equipment. It is (and was) legal to sell a vehicle without a side airbag as long as it is represented as such.

Hitting the the body or frame of the car with a hammer will cause the airbag to deploy.
Partially True!

Although certain crash criteria must be met in order for a deployment to occur, there have been instances where simply working on the car has caused the airbag to deploy. The most common accidental deployment is a side impact activating the side airbag. These sensors, mounted near the center pillar or floor edge, are much more sensitive and may cause an accidental deployment by striking the area near them with a hammer or in some cases even slamming the door too hard. There are also records of Emergency Responders accidentally deploying an airbag with the 'Jaws of Life' or by inadvertently cutting through a roof curtain airbag canister. ALWAYS disconnect and power down the system before doing any heavy work on the vehicle.

The airbags will work even if the little airbag light is on.
False.

Every vehicle has an airbag control unit that constantly monitors the airbag system as long as the key is on. Initially, when starting the car, the airbag light should illuminate or flash for approximately 6 seconds and then go off. If an airbag system has a fault or is inoperative, the indicator light will

never illuminate
will remain illuminated
flash continuously.

In those cases, there is a fault in the system and the airbags will NOT DEPLOY.

The smoke in the car after an airbag goes off is toxic or dangerous.
False.
The smoke seen after an airbag deploys is a combination of both the exhausted nitrogen gas (harmless) from the explosion and the powder used to keep the bag lubricated and free from sticking to itself. Although there have been isolated cases of the airbag actually catching fire from the heat of the explosion, the most common complaint is of mild respiratory distress from breathing the combination of the corn starch based powder and exhausted gases. The best advice is to exit the vehicle as quickly as possible following a deployment.

The "BLACK BOX" in my car has all the crash data, like an airplane.
Partially True.
All vehicles with an airbag have a so called 'black box'. This refers to the airbag control unit and none of them are actually black. These control units are called many things; SDM (Sensing & Diagnostic Module), RCM (Restraints Control Module), Diagnostic Monitor, SRSCM (Supplemental Restraint System Control Unit), and ORC (Occupant Restraint Controller) among other things. Currently, all control units constantly measure speed, impact, deceleration, system readiness and other vehicle functions, but only about 60% of the car makers implement "Event Data Recorders" (EDR) into these units and store this data following a crash. As of the date of this article, the only vehicles that store event and non-event crash data are:

Chrysler, including Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Mitsubishi and Sterling
Ford, including Ford, Lincoln and Mercury
GM, including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, and Pontiac
Isuzu, Jaguar, Mercedes, Saab, Saturn, Suzuki and Toyota

Generally speaking, crash data retrieval on these vehicles is available from model year 1997 to present day with some coverage going back to 1994. According to our research, car manufacturers will be required to include EDR on all vehicles produced after September 1, 2012.

Unplugging the battery will clear the light & codes.
False
When airbags first became mandatory (about 1992), most vehicles had a control unit that was less advanced than those seen on cars today. There were actually some models that did support that method, but since about the mid 90's, this is not the case. There is no vehicle produced today that will reset the light by disconnecting the battery. Currently there are three methods, depending upon the design, to accomplish resetting the light:
1.       The system will reset itself once the fault is corrected
2.       The system requires a new control unit be replaced and comes reset
3.       The system requires a scan tool to access, configure, program or reset the light

One scanner will work for all cars.
False
There are currently about 30-40 car manufacturers producing vehicles for the US. Some of these cars use the same software and can be read by the same scan tool, but for the most part that statement is not true. With the changes every year in airbag systems, and the methods for resetting and reading these vehicles, there is no single scan tool that will read all of them. In addition, those that do read multiple vehicle lines require upgrades each year.

Every car has front sensors behind the bumper.
False
Once again, when airbags were first introduced to the US, most vehicles had multiple remote sensors located in the front of the vehicle. That has all changed over the years. Some manufacturers do not use front sensors at all. Some use them but mount them on the frame rail while others mount them in multiple places on the radiator core support. Others mount them under or behind the lower frame cross member. The use and location of front sensors is not uniform and is determined by each manufacturer.

When the airbag light is on, the clockspring is bad.
False.

When the light is on, the system needs to be diagnosed to determine the exact cause of the problem. Although the clockspring is a common component that fails, it is not always the cause of an airbag light illumination. Any component deployment, wiring malfunction, poor connection or damaged part can cause the light to illuminate. With the implementation of seat weight sensing systems, even a mis-calibration of that seat sensor will cause the light to come on.

Having the correct information is critical in today's world.

Airbag Recalls - June /July /August 2009

Douglas Gan — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:19:41 GMT

Honda is recalling 440,000 Model Year 2001 and 2002 Civic, Accord, and Acura vehicles. The driver's airbag
inflator could produce excessive internal pressure. If an affected airbag deploys, the increased internal pressure
may cause the inflator to rupture. Metal fragments could pass through the air bag cushion material possibly
causing injury to vehicle occupants. Dealers will replace the airbag inflator free of charge. Dealers will replace
the airbag inflator free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during August 2009. Honda's recall
campaign Nos. Q96 (Accord and Civic) and R13 (Acura). Owners may contact Honda Automobile Customer
Service at 1-800-999-1009.

Land Rover is recalling 40 Model Year 2009 Range Rover vehicles. During the installation process it was
identified that primer, applied by an automated glazing robot, was not being dispensed onto the glass. This
omission can lead to the chemical bonding between the primer and the polyurethane adhesive not being activated
and therefore the windshield not chemically bonded to the vehicle. Where the windshield is not chemically
bonded, water could enter the vehicle and/or there may be increased wind noise. Full windshield retention may
not be achieved in the event of an airbag deployment or during a vehicle crash. This increases the risk of injury in
the event of a crash. Dealers will inspect the rear tailgate glass for the presence of primer and will prime the
windshield glass as needed and free of charge. The recall began on July 17, 2009. Owners may contact Land
09V-257
09V-258
09V-259
09V-260
SAFETY DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE NOTICES
RECEIVED DURING JULY 2009
Published August 4, 2009
Page 7 of 18
Rover at 1-800-637-6837

Volkswagen is recalling 18,500 MY 2009 Routan vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." The owner's manual was printed
without the FMVSS No. 208 required information explaining that no objects should be placed over the or near
the air bag on the instrument panel. Any such objects could cause injury to the vehicle's occupants in the event of
a crash severe enough to cause the air bag to inflate. Dealers will send an owner's manual insert containing the
required air bag information for owner installation or dealers will install in the event the owner prefers assistance
from the dealer. The recall began on July 31, 2009. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

BMW is recalling 2,350 MY 2008 1-Series and 3- Series passenger cars. Incorrect crimp connectors may
have been used on the side air bag and belt tensioner wiring. As a result sufficient contact between the crimp
connectors and the corresponding plug may not occur which could lead to an increase in the electrical resistance
of that connection. The side air bag and/or the safety belt tensioner may not deploy in a crash and an occupant
may not be properly protected, increasing the risk of injuries or death. BMW will notify owners and repair the
vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during August 2009. Owners may contact BMW
Customer Relations and Services toll-free at 1-800-525-7417.

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Corolla vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." The air bag label installed on
the driver side sun visor can separate from the surface of the visor. This does not meet the standard
requirements. Dealers will inspect the label and exchange the driver's side sun visor free of charge. The recall is
expected to begin on or before October 15, 2009. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Airbag Recalls - February / March / April / May 2009

Douglas Gan — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:37:17 GMT

Volkswagen is recalling approximately 5,000 MY 2009 CC vehicles. Some affected vehicles may have an incorrectly routed right front passenger seat belt buckle wiring harness, creating the potential for wires to become damaged when the seat is moved fully up or down or back and forth. If this wiring damage occurs, the airbag control module will switch to a fallback algorithm and deactivate the passenger's frontal air bag. In the event of a crash, the passenger's frontal airbag will not deploy and will not be able to properly protect an occupant, increasing the risk of injuries. Dealers will inspect and adjust the routing of the right front passenger seat belt wiring harness. If a damaged wiring harness is found, the harness will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before April 24, 2009. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Chrysler is recalling 4,336 MY 2009 Dodge Journey, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Commander and Wrangler vehicles. Wiring may be reversed on the steering column control module driver airbag squib connector. The driver's airbag may not deploy as intended. In the event of a crash, the driver's airbag may not properly inflate and may not be able to properly protect an occupant, increasing the risk of injuries. Dealers will inspect the driver's airbag squib wires and replace the steering column control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during May 2009. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Churn is Upon us

Douglas Gan — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:09:22 GMT

Are You Ready for the
Changes in the Car Industry?

Churn is upon us. Do you feel it?

Car-makers, parts suppliers, dealers and shops are all being effected. How you perceive it and how you react to it will determine your success.

Churn is change; movement in industries that effects all of the players, and sometimes it alters the industry forever! This change can be initiated not only by an individual company decision or contribution, but by an outside catalyst that can effect industries worldwide. We are seeing churn today ripple from the banking industry to the auto industry. But let me explain it a little better. A good example might be the change that Sears and KMart went through in 2005. The retail marketplace was experiencing intense competition with ever-growing overhead while the consumer base and demand was stagnant with little or no growth. KMart, emerging from a bankruptcy filed in 2002 was competing unsuccessfully against WalMart, while Sears was being beaten down by big-box stores such as Home Depot and Lowes.

"Sears has had a very different problem from Kmart," Lacy said. "Our (Sears) service and products are as good as our competitor's but they're not where our customers are. This now gives us the opportunity to grow off-mall locations closer to the customer."
CNN/Money, November 17, 2004

The answer for both companies was to change their concept of each other dramatically. Both companies were viable. Both had valuable assets as well as proven demand in the industry. The best answer for both companies (and the consumer) was a merger, or buyout of Sears. By doing this, both companies were able to capitalize on each others strengths and unique roles in the marketplace while reducing duplicity and costs. This provided the customer with the best each had to offer without "reinventing the wheel".

"We don't want two separate cultures - but to blend it into one great culture." Kmart Chairman Edward Lampert said Thursday. "The idea is to make the stores more competitive while staying focused on the customer."
CNN/Money, November 17, 2004

Today we're experiencing that same kind of change in the auto industry. But this one is more personal and much more widespread. This one spreads from the shop owner to the doll-up bay, from the assembly line to the CEO, and from the car salesmen to the salvage yard personnel. This one is both local and worldwide, personal and public, emotional and financial. Today's churn in the automotive world is moving us in unknown directions.

We at AirbagSolutions welcome the changes we are living through today. We see opportunity in the future. When AirbagSolutions first came out in 2001, it was a new way of presenting and the data needed for airbag repair. The consumer could absorb the information faster and more accurately. This hasn't changed. We are still new and different from conventional estimating and information systems. And opportunities to grow and expand are still upon us. As restraint systems change and grow, we too have plans to continue new and exciting changes in our information presentation.

We envision an industry that is agile and flexible; responsive to customer's needs and resilient in times of challenge. The auto industry is going to need new, creative vehicles and tools to help us ride out this current wave of churn. Would you care to join us on this ride?

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A Different Way of Thinking

Watching the new car designs roll out and drive down the street is reminiscent of childhood days spotting a 'new car' on the road. New designs like these will propel us through this century with green technology, mass transit, fuel efficiency and hybrid technology forging the paths. It is this type of churn that may be new and different, but will take us to places we've never been. And if you're up for the ride, it'll be a great one, with promise of new opportunities for growth and profit. Here are some of the vehicles and products we are already seeing:

Hybrid vehicles like the Prius, Scion and the SmartCar
Electric prototype vehicles, like the P.U.M.A., the Zap and the Volt.
New paint systems that transition us from HVLP and acrylic enamel to waterborn and low VOC systems.
3-D imaging, on-line and interactive information systems.

These new ideas don't all come from the classrooms of the 'younger generation'. Many of these ideas have been around since the last quarter of the twentieth century. It's only now that an eco-friendly government along with with the demanding economics of the recent gas crunch and recession that have made us eager to forge these paths. Gone are the days of the same-old, same-old, business as usual.

As we watch the government partner with the "Big 3 Automakers", mergers between giants like IBM & Sun Microsystems, and the acquisition of Merill Lynch by Bank of America, we know the future is in partnering. Choosing the right partner, creating a distinct advantage to the new blended company and bringing value to the customer will ensure your place in the future.

It's time for change; a change in the way we do business, a change in the way we serve our industry and a change in our attitude.

It's time for a different way of thinking.

Airbag Recalls - January 2009

Douglas Gan — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:48:00 GMT

Toyota is recalling 134,895 MY 2006-2007 Yaris vehicles equipped with driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners, which are designed to be activated in response to a severe frontal impact. When the sensor detects a severe frontal impact, the front seat belts are quickly drawn back by the retractors so that the belts snugly restrain the occupants. The involved vehicles contain a center pillar sound insulator located underneath each front seat belt pretensioner. In the event of seat belt pretensioner deployment, the gas generated may affect the sound insulators. In the worst case, if the sound insulators ignite, this condition will result in a post-collision fire. Dealers will modify the vehicle free of charge. The modification will entail removal of the small urethane center pillar sound insulators (sponge) underneath the driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners. The recall is expected to begin during February 2009. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371.

Airbgs, DNA and Drugs

Douglas Gan — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:02:10 GMT

AIRBAGS ARE NOW USED TO PROVE LIABILITY

Law enforcement and attorneys are now using the DNA embedded in an airbag to prove who was driving as well as the blood alcohol level of that driver.

When airbags were first introduced, they were intended to save lives and prevent personal injury. But with new scientific developments in DNA testing, resulting in lower costs to analyze blood and tissue samples, airbags have an entirely new role. Forensic accident reconstruction labs now use dried blood left on the airbags to obtain DNA samples. These samples are then tested to determine a multitude of answers otherwise left unconfirmed.

For those who try to deny their involvement in motor vehicle accidents, that can now mean perjury, lawsuits, charges, fines and even jail time.

"Crash, stabbing nets man five years"

"Before rescue personnel arrived at the scene, Brown said Conaway appeared to be unconscious for a few seconds as his head was leaning against the steering wheel. When he regained consciousness, Brown said that Mootispaw got out of the vehicle and went over to sit in the driver's side and Conaway slid over to the passenger's seat.

When authorities arrived, both Conaway and Mootispaw denied being the driver of the Ford Windstar. Authorities said that both men were heavily intoxicated.

Authorities removed the airbag, which had blood on it, from the steering wheel. On July 24, 2008, DNA evidence confirmed that it was Conaway's blood on the airbag. Coupled with Brown's statement, authorities were able to charge Conaway with the crime. On Monday in Fayette County Common Pleas Court, Conaway pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular assault, a second-degree felony, operating a vehicle under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor, traveling left of center, a minor misdemeanor, and driving under financial responsibility law suspension, a first-degree misdemeanor."

Record Herald
January 14, 2009

"Hearings to decide on cocaine evidence in trial of off-duty Greece cop"

"Joseph, 43, is charged with aggravated vehicular assault, second-degree assault, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, operating a motor vehicle while ability impaired by cocaine, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and first-degree perjury in connection with a crash that injured a Rochester woman and caused her to deliver a child prematurely.

The prosecution said that a toxicologist extracted cocaine from blood found on the airbag of the car Joseph was driving. Joseph suffered a head injury in the crash, which he said dazed him and made him unable to report his alleged involvement in the crash."

Democrat & Chronicle
January 14, 2009

"DNA Clears Woman In 2006 Fatal Crash, Implicates Boyfriend"

"Leyana Rich spent two years behind bars awaiting charges in the Feb. 2, 2006, crash that killed a cab driver, but DNA tests have convinced officials that it was her boyfriend Luke Irons who was driving at the time.

After Rich claimed she wasn't the driver, her attorney, Geoffrey Cox, had DNA tests performed on several items in the car - including the air bags - to determine who was where. The results showed there was blood on the air bag on the driver's side, but it was Irons, not hers, even though Rich's mouth had been bloodied. Irons is admitting he was the driver, even though he claimed after the wreck that Rich was and then said he couldn't remember, according to court documents and prosecutors. Irons' admission came after he was sentenced to 30 years in prison last year after a string of crimes in Hendry County.
The state attorney's office then had its own expert perform tests on the airbag, and that expert found the same thing, said Doneene Dresback, the assistant state attorney in charge of the case."

The Tampa Tribune
January 14, 2009

A Vallejo man will spend more than 11 years in federal prison after he offered to sell crystal meth to an informant and authorities found drugs and a pistol hidden his vehicle's airbag compartment.
They found a small amount of marijuana and $1,050 in the center compartment of the car, prosecutors said.

A police dog trained to find drugs alerted officers to additional narcotics. When detectives pried open an area designed to house an airbag on the passenger's side of the car, they found a hidden compartment containing 9 1/2 ounces of crystal meth in four separate plastic knotted bags, a digital scale and a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol that had been reported stolen, the release states."

The Sacramento Bee
January, 2009

Drug run comes to an end in East Texas

Nearly half a million dollars worth of heroin is not going to be in Philadelphia tonight. The man transporting the drugs was pulled over and arrested in Tenaha, Texas today.
Constable Randy Whatley says inside the airbag compartment was eight pounds of heroin with a street value of $360,000.
Whatley says Rojas, who was on his way from Houston to Philadelphia, had replaced the airbag with drug bags. Rojas is in the Shelby County jail on state charges right now, but he's expected to be sent to Beaumont to face federal charges."

Airbag Recalls - November / December 2008

Douglas Gan — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:59:14 GMT

GM is recalling 12,662 MY 2009 Cadillac CTS vehicles for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” Under certain conditions, a software condition within the passenger sensing system may disable the front passenger air bag when it should be enabled or enable it when it should be disabled. In a vehicle crash, if the front passenger air bag does not operate as designed, increased personal injury could occur. Dealers will reprogram the passenger sensing system module free of charge. The recall began on
November 18, 2008. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or through the website
at www.gmownercenter.com.

Honda is recalling 3,940 MY 2001 Accord and Civic vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure. If an affected air bag deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. Metal fragments could pass through the air bag cushion material possibly causing injury to vehicle occupants. Dealers will replace the air bag inflator free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before December 22, 2008. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

GM is recalling 16,667 MY 2009 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook vehicles for failing to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, 'Seat Belt Assemblies.' These vehicles may have been built with a safety belt buckle in the second or third row that is missing a rivet. In a vehicle crash, if the rivet is missing, the buckle may separate from the mounting strap, increasing the risk of injury to the passenger. Dealers will inspect the safety belt buckles in the second and third rows, and replace them if necessary. The recall began on November 26, 2008. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Chevrolet at
1-800-630-2438; GMC at 1-866-996-9463; Saturn at 1-800-972-8876; or through the website at www.gmownercenter.com.

Nissan is recalling 242,720 MY 2005-2009 Pathfinder, Frontier and Xterra vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. In those areas of the country which use heavy concentrations of road salt in the winter, a mixture of snow/water and salt can enter into the front crash zone sensor (CZS) housing. If this occurs, the CZS may internally rust resulting in a signal interruption. If this happens, the red air bag warning light will illuminate to alert the vehicle operator. This issue could result in the non-deployment of the driver and passenger front air bags in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury. Dealers will replace the front CZS with a counter measured sensor. These sensors were manufactured in Japan. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners in the other states will receive extended warranty coverage for the sensor to 10 years. These owners will be notified of the warranty extension by mail and will receive a sticker to place in their warranty booklet explaining the extended warranty coverage. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.